Mary Garwood wants to improve Carlsbad quality of life as Ward 3 councilor
Setting a course for positive change in the community led former Keep Carlsbad Beautiful director Mary Garwood to seek election to the Ward 3 seat on the Carlsbad City Council.
She is running against Aaron David Jones, Christina Mann and Robert Burton Jr. for the seat vacated by three term councilor Judith Waters. Waters decided not to run again during the Nov. 7 local elections.
Garwood has experience with civic entities, nonprofits and is a former City of Carlsbad employee.
“I don’t own a business to profit from here nor have any hidden interest behind running for this seat; I simply want to make a positive change where I can in our town,” she said in an email to the Current-Argus.
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Housing, mental health and childcare part of Garwood's platform
Garwood said there is a need for low cost and affordable housing in Carlsbad.
Garwood said the issue cannot be addressed quickly, "but rather over time with a committed group of people looking at all factors involved. Plus, there must be a widespread investor commitment to lowering housing costs. While many oil and gas salaries can be in the 6-digit range, that’s not the story for everyone,” she said.
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Garwood said old and abandoned homes in Carlsbad may provide one solution for housing.
Along with housing, she said access to mental health care is a continual need in Carlsbad along with childcare for working parents.
“Our daycares are packed full to their limits. I’ve seen pleading posts by parents on social media looking for just about anyone to take care of their little ones while they work, and that’s troubling for it to have to come to that extreme measure instead of having quality options with reliable and trusted caregivers to choose from for daycare services,” she said.
Clean Carlsbad could enhance economic base
Garwood served eight years as director of Keep Carlsbad Beautiful before taking a job with the Center of Excellence (CEHMM).
She said the City of Carlsbad cannot specifically attract new businesses to the community. Garwood said there are some simple things residents and current business owners could do to attract new industry and people.
“We can simply clean up our homes and businesses from trash and overgrown weeds and make it aesthetically pleasing to be here. No business wants to come to a trashy town,” she said. “We want a welcoming clean community for them to want to invest in.”
More: City of Carlsbad and Eddy County take proactive approaches to litter cleaning in 2023
Needs of Ward 3
Carlsbad’s Ward 3 covers central parts of the community near U.S. Highway 285.
Garwood said supporting businesses that are located in Ward 3 including Carlsbad MainStreet and the Pearl of the Pecos Arts and Cultural District is a continual need.
“Our Carlsbad MainStreet area serves as a gathering place for so many well-rounded activities for adults and children alike and if we can spend our money helping our local businesses out, then those funds stay in Carlsbad,” she said.
Garwood said people should also support the Carlsbad Museum and Carlsbad Public Library, both staples of the Ward 3's economy.
“Ward 3 includes our infamous Flume as well. Keeping that structure in highest integrity and area clean and beautiful for all to enjoy is on the list of top priorities. Its historical value for Carlsbad is unmatched,” she said.
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Garwood believes in established and new efforts in Carlsbad
She affirmed support for code enforcement, recycling and xeriscaping efforts not only for Ward 3 but the larger community as well.
Garwood said code enforcement positions are crucial to the health and safety of the community.
More: Carlsbad anticipates increased efforts to remove weeds and debris from certain properties
“Our recent city council meetings have been packed with residential condemnations that very well could have been prevented with the right code enforcement support. It’s difficult here in our southeast New Mexico town with the wind and mesquite bushes to hide our litter, yes, but that’s why we need continual education on how to properly dispose of our waste,” she said.
If elected, Garwood would like to restart the City of Carlsbad Board of Solid Waste Commissioners and update solid waste ordinances.
Mike Smith can be reached at 575-628-5546 or by email at MSmith@currentargus.com or @ArgusMichae on X, formerly known as Twitter.
This article originally appeared on Carlsbad Current-Argus: Mary Garwood runs for Carlsbad Ward 3 council seat
